Lincs: Drug dealer liked to think he was ‘Mr Big’

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A teenage drug dealer who thought he was “Mr Big” was arrested in a shopping centre car park after being found with guns and knives, Lincoln Crown Court was told.

Police were called to the Carlton Centre car park in the north of Lincoln after reports of a man armed with a hand gun.

Andrew Scott, prosecuting, said that when officers arrived they spoke to Lewis Jefferson and he admitted that he had a hand gun in his car.

He produced an air pistol and a loaded air rifle was also found on the rear seat. Both weapons were powerful enough to be classified as firearms.

Mr Scott said “Two lock knives were found in the car and a collection of knives was found later when his home address was searched.

“A plastic bag containing 6 grammes of cannabis was also found along with a quantity of dealer bags and sets of scales. “

Mr Scott said that Jefferson’s mobile phone was seized and found to contain text messages which indicated he had been dealing to friends and at a music festival in Leeds.

“From his messages he’d like to give the impression he was Mr Big but he wasn’t.”

Jefferson, 18, of Lindum Terrace, Lincoln, admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis between 1st February and 17th July 2013. He also admitted two charges of possession of a firearm in a public place, two charges of possession of a knife and a further charge of possession of cannabis as a result of the incident on 16 July last year which led to his arrest.

He was given 12 months youth custody suspended for two years with 12 months supervision.

Recorder Christopher Goodchild told him “Part of the persona you adopted was of Mr Big the tough man. I accept that you were acting out the part. The problem is that young men who start acting out parts in some fantasy then start to realise it could be reality.”

Sunil Khanna, defending, said Jefferson comes from a very successful business family but lost his way.

He said Jefferson began using cannabis and became depressed.

Mr Khanna urged the judge not to jail Jefferson adding “This is a young man who simply lost his way. He was depressed at the time of these offences and seeking counselling.”